by maria fagerland
As you may know, carriers will be changing their rates soon; 2018 rates will go into effect first, on Sunday, December 1. 24, 2017, and then 2018 fedex rates start monday, jan. January 1, 2018. The United States Postal Service has also announced its rate increases for 2018, which will take effect on Sunday, January 1. January 21, 2018. Trade base price changes include:
- priority mail rates will increase an average of 6.2 percent
- priority mail flat rate boxes and envelopes will increase from $0.45 to $0.60 per piece, depending on packaging used
- first-class package service will increase an average of 3.9 percent
Let’s take a closer look at the USPS rates that are changing and how this could affect your eCommerce business, as well as how you can save money when the new USPS rates take effect.
priority mail
Priority mail business base rates will increase 6.2 percent on average. a 2-pound package going to zone 8 will cost $10.80 in 2018 vs. $10.28 in 2017, an increase of $0.52. while prices will increase for many weight/zone configurations, there are a few key points worth noting:
- rates are going down for 3-5 pound priority mail packages going to zone 5
- rates are also going down for 4 pound priority mail packages going to zone 4
- priority mail packages weighing between 44 and 59 pounds. going to zone 3 will cost less to ship
- the price will not change for 2 pound packages going to zone 5
It’s also worth noting that while the business base price for Priority Mail regional rate mailboxes will increase in most zones, the rates will be reduced by $0.30 for mailbox b in zone 5, and rates will remain the same for mailbox a in zone 5.
priority mail flat rate
Rates are increasing for all priority mail flat rate boxes and envelopes in 2018. We know many of you use the priority mail padded flat rate envelope, which has been an inexpensive way to ship smaller items, with delivery in just 2-3 days throughout the country. the rate goes up $0.60, from $6.50 in 2017 to $7.10 in 2018, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. the only priority mail flat rate option not going up $0.60 in 2018 is the medium flat rate box, which will increase $0.45, from $12.40 in 2017 to
$12.85 in 2018.
first class package service
First class package service rates will increase 3.9% on average. you can expect the biggest increases with larger ounce packages: a $0.22 increase for 13 ounces and a $0.64 increase for 15.99 ounces. Even with increases for all ounces, First Class Parcel Service is still the best deal in town when shipping light items.
First Class Parcel Service shipping rates
here is an overview of the postal service price increase by product or category: